"Rubio has now been in the national spotlight for over 16 years and has matured since his failed bid for the Republican presidential nomination a decade ago. But Rubio is also being feted as a throwback to pre-Trump Republicanism, which is also why he is currently being overrated for 2028. That's not to say that a Rubio nomination can't happen. There are, however, some roadblocks that are being widely ignored in favor of viral clips that make people misty-eyed for the return of Ronald Reagan."
"The Trump vice president that Rubio should be compared to isn't Vance, but Mike Pence. Pence was supposed to build a bridge between Reaganism and Trumpism. While he dutifully served the president and his political fortunes would likely look different if Trump's first term had ended on January 5, 2021, Pence largely failed at this project and has since gone in a different direction."
"Rubio has been much more successful because he understands Trump's appeal better and has internalized some of the populist critique of older GOP ways of doing business. Rubio could have much more comfortably and confidently defended Trump's foreign policy than Pence did in his 2019 exchange with former Vice President Dick Cheney that was an early indicator of where both veeps were going to end up."
"Reporters guffawed at Rubio's '90s rap references and then filed stories talking him up as a 2028 presidential prospect, especially in contrast with Vice President J.D. Vance (who was actually in Iowa at the time). It's not totally insane in the membrane, as the kids said 33 years ago. President Donald Trump's secretary of state and national security adviser is a talented guy."
Marco Rubio filled in at the White House podium while Karoline Leavitt was on maternity leave, prompting reporters to highlight his rap references and speculate about his 2028 presidential prospects. Rubio has been in national view for more than 16 years and has matured since an earlier failed bid for the Republican nomination. He is being celebrated as a throwback to pre-Trump Republicanism, which contributes to an overrating of his 2028 chances. The comparison that matters is not J.D. Vance but Mike Pence, who was expected to bridge Reaganism and Trumpism but largely failed. Rubio is portrayed as more successful because he understands Trump’s appeal and incorporates populist critiques of traditional GOP practices.
Read at The American Conservative
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